You Can Handle It! Humane Techniques & Tools for Shelter Med Procedures

Date & Time: Wednesday, June 17, 2026. 4-5 PM PST

Animals’ fear, anxiety, and stress coming into the shelter can turn an exam, vaccinations, or the euthanasia experience into a tense, even traumatic, ordeal for all involved, compromising care, safety, and efficiency. With often little information about an animal’s history and the need to balance safety with population health, solid humane handling techniques and tools are foundational for medical teams.

When that 70-pound dog won’t stop spinning and snapping, or the senior cat wants to lash out from the crate, is your team prepared to respond in a way that won’t cause lasting trauma to the animals or the team? In this episode of Shelter Med LIVE, relief shelter veterinarian Dr. Michelle Gaston and Humane Innovations founder John Peaveler join host Dr. Jenn Bennett to share tips and techniques for humane handling and behavior management in high-stress shelter situations.

You'll leave this conversation knowing: 

• Techniques for defensive handling/protected contact that may differ from what you were taught in veterinary school
• Equipment and safety tools help protect staff while minimizing the impact to the animal’s experience
• How the veterinarian’s leadership role impacts shelter handling culture and why strategic support is essential for medical teams
• How investment in proper humane handling training and equipment helps the shelter’s bottom line – it just makes good financial and people sense!

Shelter Med LIVE isn’t a lecture—it's a conversation for veterinarians, and everyone else who wants to talk shop on shelter medicine. Kick back and recharge with your colleagues in the middle of a long week! Find past episodes on-demand in the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program Shelter Learniverse, #ThanksToMaddie!This event has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit by CAWA and NACA.

Can't make it live? Register now to receive the recording later.

Register Now!